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Traffic-stop killing of deputy prompts manhunt

Posted: Friday, September 29, 2006

LAKELAND, Fla. - A man who had been pulled over for a traffic violation shot two sheriff's deputies Thursday, killing one of them and prompting an intensive manhunt that forced a lockdown at three schools, officials said.

The shooter was first approached during a traffic stop, but he fled into a wooded area when the officer began asking him about his identity, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.

That officer and a deputy who arrived seconds later with a police dog chased the suspect into the woods. Both officers and the dog were hit by gunfire, Judd said.

The suspect exchanged fire with more officers shortly afterward when they approached a house in the wooded area, but he got away, Judd said.

"We will not sleep. We will not rest until we have the suspect in custody for this heinous action today," a visibly shaken Judd said.

The shooting occurred near Kathleen High School, which was locked down, Wood said. A woman at the school who would identify herself only as Mrs. Platt said students were locked in their classrooms and were safe.